"Overall, it's been quite smooth. Shi Xingwu has been taking good care of her, teaching her simple self-defense techniques and doing physical training every day. Qingyu goes to the martial arts school to practice for a while almost every day, and they often meet," Xia Qingtian said. "It's just that Qingyu has noticed suspicious individuals lurking around the martial arts school for the past couple of days. She suspects it might be Lei Sanshao's people. Although she hasn't told Lei Xirui, she mentioned it to me."
"Before, Lei Sanshao almost turned all of Northern Europe upside down trying to find Lei Xirui. When I contacted him, he was about to issue a bounty of one hundred million," Gu Yaoyang sighed.
"One hundred million!" Xia Qingtian blinked. "This Lei Sanshao really cares about Xirui. But why can't he just listen to Xirui's voice?"
"I told him that Xirui was brought back to the country by me and that he shouldn't act rashly. When Xirui wants to go back, I'll take her," Gu Yaoyang spread his hands. "It seems he's still not reassured and wants to confirm Xirui's location himself."
"What good will confirming it do? If Lei Sanshao doesn't change his attitude, and if he doesn't change his arrogant, self-important nature, Xirui will still be scared away by him," Xia Qingtian said helplessly, propping her chin with one hand. "Xirui is much more cheerful and happy now than before. I hope that after knowing Xirui's feelings, Lei Sanshao will respect her choice."
"Yes, we can only think that way," Gu Yaoyang felt the chances were slim, but he could still hold onto hope.
After all, since meeting Xia Qingtian, many impossibilities that he couldn't overcome had become filled with infinite possibilities because of her.
Meanwhile, in the research institute, everyone was busy.
"Xifu, you're leaving for Kyoto tomorrow evening, right?" Xiang Xueyuan said, looking at Xifu, who was sitting on the sofa. "The institute will be holding a press conference tomorrow afternoon. I won't have much time to look after you, so be careful on your way."
"Yes, Father." Xifu flashed a bright smile. "I've already contacted Lei Sanshao. Tomorrow, I'll bring a big gift with me."
The Xia Corporation's board of directors meeting was scheduled for ten-thirty in the morning.
The directors had arrived early, with Xia Qingtian and Xia Honglang being the last to arrive.
Xia Honglang, as the chairman, entered the conference room and found everyone's gaze fixed on him.
However, the hostility in their eyes was undisguised, making him feel increasingly disheartened.
Xia Qingtian entered the office with Xia Honglang, carrying a soft leather briefcase that she liked very much.
Glancing at everyone in the conference room, Xia Qingtian directly took her seat in an empty spot and handed her briefcase to Xia Honglang's secretary. "Connect the projector in the conference room; we'll need it later."
"Okay." The secretary took the briefcase from Xia Qingtian. As soon as it was in her hands, she knew it contained a laptop. Before leaving, she couldn't resist reminding him softly, "The directors arrived half an hour early. It seems they had a private meeting and didn't let anyone in."
Xia Qingtian didn't respond, just blinked to show she understood.
While the secretary was busy, the director sitting second from the left spoke, "Since the chairman and the last director have arrived, let's begin the board meeting."
"Let's start. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can go back to feed my birds," Director Lin, seated at the end, exuded an air of confidence, leaning back in his chair. "Why don't we just vote?"
"Vote? Vote for what?" Xia Honglang asked, looking around. "Have you all made up your minds?"
"Chairman Xia is a busy man and can't attend to the Xia Corporation. We diligent workers should at least contribute to the Xia Corporation," said the director second from the left, scoffing. He looked at Xia Honglang with a hint of provocation in his tone.
"Tch," Xia Qingtian scoffed at the sound. "When I ask you what you're voting for, why say so much nonsense? Do you feel that this voting thing is too shameless, so you're playing coy to boost your courage?"
"You!" The director who was retorted by Xia Qingtian's expression changed. "Regardless, everyone present is your elder! You are a member of the Xia Corporation's board of directors, what's your attitude!"
"You know this is the Xia Corporation's board of directors? The board meeting is convened to discuss regulations, not to put on airs, and you claim to be my elder. Where is your seniority? In your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids?" Xia Qingtian smiled. "You only have increasing numbers, not brains. So audacious? Have you gotten an ICU membership card?"
After all, everyone present was older and suffered from various wealth-related illnesses. Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, their faces turned ugly. They wanted to retort but were enraged by Xia Qingtian's sharp tongue. They could only turn their heads to target Xia Honglang, who was always easygoing, saying, "Is Chairman Xia managing his daughter like this? No wonder he's managed the Xia Corporation into this state!"
"Exactly! The Xia Corporation has reached this point today, and Xia Honglang, you are solely responsible!"
"That's right!"
"You can question my work ability, but you cannot question my daughter," Xia Honglang said with a stern face. "I will make you pay!"
Seeing Xia Honglang's [stubbornness], the directors were also trembling with anger, only cursing Xia Honglang in their hearts for being so arrogant even when [death was imminent]!
Damn him!
If he wanted to die, he should die alone, not drag the Xia Corporation down with him, and certainly not delay their chance to get rich!
"Alright, let's get down to business," the director who wanted to go back to feed the birds earlier said. "Chairman Xia, we were initially going to start the first round of voting to immediately remove you from all your current positions.
However, since we've known each other for so many years, there's no need to make things too ugly.
Therefore, it's best if you voluntarily resign from your positions as Chairman and CEO of the Xia Corporation."
Upon hearing this, the other directors cast sideways glances at Xia Honglang.
"Heh heh." Xia Honglang chuckled. "What right do you have to ask me to resign from my current position?"
"Chairman Xia, we still call you Chairman Xia now because we are grateful for your contributions to the Xia Corporation over the years. But that doesn't mean you are the absolute ruler of the Xia Corporation," the director who was previously retorted by Xia Qingtian said sarcastically. "Now, how many people in the entire Xia Corporation are complaining about your shameless behavior!"
"I don't know how many people are complaining about my father's behavior, but your wife truly hates you to the bone," Xia Qingtian interjected. "You rose to prominence through your father-in-law. After your father-in-law passed away, the first thing you did was bring your illegitimate son from outside home, and you tried to force your wife to divorce you through emotional abuse to make way for your mistress.
That Zhu surname is your white moonlight, right?
First love runs deep!
If you love her so much, why dare you only bring your illegitimate son home after your father-in-law died? And you only dare to use emotional abuse to force your wife to divorce?
Oh! Right, I almost forgot, your elder brother-in-law is working in the government, isn't he?
Afraid of being dealt with? Afraid of gossip and retaliation?"